Late Liberal leader Peter Coleman's Woollahra apartment fails to sell

The Woollahra apartment of the late former NSW ­Liberal leader, Peter ­Coleman, failed to sell at its midweek auction.

The Edgecliff Road apartment now comes with a $1,595,000 asking price through Raine and Horne Double Bay agent Martin Maskin.

The three-bedroom apartment in the 1920s Claverton complex last ­traded in 1984 for $145,000 when Coleman and his late wife Verna moved from their Queen Street, ­Woollahra rental.

At the time, Coleman was the federal member for the local Wentworth electorate, which he held between 1981 and 1987.

Following the resignation of the ever-sprightly Bob ­Ellicott, Coleman had won the Liberal Party preselection in 1981 when Malcolm Turnbull was runner-up.

The Coleman family had previously resided on Norfolk Island where he served as administrator ­following his appointment by Ellicott, the then ­federal minister for home affairs.

For 10 years from 1968 he was a member of the state parliament, elected the Liberal member for ­Fuller, a marginal seat ­taking in North Ryde, ­Gladesville and Hunter’s Hill where he resided.

In 1977, Coleman was elected as the leader of the NSW Liberal Party, but lost his seat to Rodney Cavalier in the election, later termed the “Wranslide”.

Coleman, who died in March at the age of 90, was a widely acclaimed journalist for more than 60 years, including stints as editor of The Bulletin (1964-1967) and of Quadrant, on and off over 23 years.

He published 16 books on political, biographical and cultural subjects.

He’d always invite me to Woollahra Library’s annual poets’ picnic.

The priciest sale in the Claverton complex, which also fronts Roslyndale Avenue, was $2.1 million last year.

This article was first published in the Sunday Telegraph.